Tiki Hut fundraiser raises more than $10,000 for Orlando shooting victims
A one-night, five-hour fundraiser at the Tiki Hut at Dolphin Key Resort to benefit families of victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting raised more than $10,000.
Local businesses donated items for a silent auction, Tiki Hut staff donated 10 percent of their income that night, Tiki Hut management donated 100 percent of food and beverage sales and others chipped in with donations.
“It far exceeded our expectations,” said Tiki Hut and resort owner Magdalena Tengroth. “About $2,000 of that came from donations throughout the city for the auction.”
The idea for the fundraiser, held on June 24, was brought to Tengroth by bartender Heather Gasser, who was expecting an event on a much smaller scale. Tengroth and the rest of the 18 employees helped make it the success that it was.
Patrons that night were entertained by live music provided by performers Scotty Bryant and Rocker.
All the money raised has been turned over to the OneOrlando Fund to distribute to the victims’ families. Donations also can be made anytime online at OneOrlando.org.
The shooting took place in the early morning hours of June 12 when a single gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others in the nightclub before being shot dead by police.